Best Sightseeing Places to Visit in Udupi

The coastal city of Karnataka that’s famous for its quaint settlement and charming temples is known as Udupi. There are a lot of places to visit in Udupi that keep the travellers and devotees engaged throughout their trip. The city gets the name “Udupi” from one of the famous South-Indian cuisines that originated here. Located just about 60 km from Mangalore, Udupi is not just famous for the carefully designed and carved temples but a lot of other things that make it a perfect weekend spot or family destination for your next vacation.

Starting from laid back beaches on the coast of Arabian Ocean to the offbeat forests spread around the city; from the famous pilgrim spots to the beautiful Western Ghats; Udupi has a lot of things for everybody. It is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts as well as nature lovers.

Here’s a list of the best places for Udupi sightseeing places that should be on your itinerary: -

1. Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple is one of the most famous landmarks in the city. With thousands of devotees visiting the temple every year, you would never feel alone here. Even more importantly, people in the city are welcoming and helpful.

The Krishna Temple, which is also known as Sri Krishna Matha, was founded in the 13^th Century and has a lot of stories to its name. One of the most popular amongst them is the story behind the deity facing the window and not the door.  Owing to the beautiful structure and the tales related to it, the Krishna Temple is one of the best places to visit in Udupi.

2. St Mary's Island

St. Mary's Island is a part of the town of Maple that plays an important role in enhancing the beauty of Udupi by several folds. The Maple Town consists of the famous Maple Beach, Anantheshwara and Balarama temples, Daria-Bahadurgad Fort, and three surrounding islands. Because of the serenity provides to its visitors, it has become an inseparable part of the Udupi tour package. In fact, its beauty enhances the travel experience. Also, if you wish to visit the nearby Kari-Illada-Kallu and Daria-Gadara-Kalluthe Island, then there are regular ferries that ply from here. And don’t miss out on watching the sunset from here; it is simply amazing.

3. Mookambika Temple

One of the best local sightseeing places in Udupi is the Mookambika Temple that is dedicated to Goddess Aadiprakarshakti. It is believed by the natives that she embodies the powers of three different Hindu Goddesses, namely Maha Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Mahakali. Also, this temple is known to be one of the seven Mukti sthalas of Karnataka. The temple is situated in the Kodachadri Valley on the banks of Souparnika River. This makes the location exotic and enchanting for the visitors. So, if you are planning on visiting the city, make sure you come here for offering your prayers to the goddess and get a few clicks in the mesmerizing ambience.

4. Kudlu Theertha Falls

Kudlu Theertha Falls is a beautiful cascade located in the wilderness of the Western Ghats that attracts a lot of adventure enthusiasts and peace lovers. If you are looking for an excellent place to see in Udupi, then this should definitely be on your list. The Theertha Falls host a lot of visitors every year and even people from nearby places come here to enjoy some peaceful time. The 150-feet waterfall makes a small pond at the foothill where people enjoy taking a dip. If fun and relaxation are on your mind, then this is an ideal place to be.

5. Kaup Beach

Being a coastal city, Udupi has a few gorgeous beaches one of which is the Kaup Beach. It is a hidden gem in the sense that it still is not known to a lot of people. One of the best sightseeing places in Udupi, Kaup Beach has a lot of enjoyment in store for the travellers. This beach is not too far off from the main city, just 10 km away which means you will not have to take a different route or, for that matter, take out a lot of time for this place.

6. Chaturmukha Basadi

Chaturmukha Basadi may be an offbeat spot but the surrounding here is simply majestic. It is known to be an ancient Jain Temple which took about 30 years to get completed. The beauty and fine details of the temple justify the time taken to build it. The entire complex of the temple has 108 beautifully designed pillars that make it one of the places to look out for in your South India tour package.

7. Lawrence Church

The St. Lawrence Church which is also known as Attur Church is a Roman Catholic Church which is known to be the place of miracles. It is famous amongst the locals about how miracles happen in this church. But one story also says that Tipu Sultan used this building as a prison for Christians during his reign. So, when you visit Udupi, make sure that this church is on your list of Udupi sightseeing places.

8.  Kodi Beach

Among the penultimate spots to go to during your Udupi sightseeing, Kodi Beach is located towards the Kundapura Town and locally referred to as the Delta Beach. The beach is surrounded by water from three sides which makes it a perfect spot for moments of solitude. This is another attraction that must be there on your Udupi sightseeing list.

If you had a perception that Udupi is all about temples, then you couldn’t be more ‘off the mark’. Udupi has a wealth of sightseeing places along with a lot of fun activities to boot. Put these eight places in your Udupi itinerary and you are sure to have a lovely experience upon your arrival.